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00:00:00 – 00:14:44
The video explores the rise of conservatism in the 1960s and 1970s in the United States, with a shift from Democrat to Republican influenced by various conservative ideologies. It highlights key figures like Barry Goldwater and Richard Nixon, detailing their impact on elections and policies. The discussion extends to President Nixon's strategies, Supreme Court nominations, and involvement in the Watergate scandal, leading to his resignation. The changing social landscape, declining traditional values, changing role of women, and major events like the passage of Title IX and the defeat of the Equal Rights Amendment in 1972 are also covered. Overall, the video underscores the shift in conservative thinking towards limited government intervention amidst skepticism about liberal government programs in the wake of scandals like Watergate.
00:00:00
In this segment of the video, John Green discusses the rise of conservatism in the 1960s and 1970s in the United States. There was a shift from Democrat to Republican in the South, influenced by conservative politics. Some conservatives supported free market ideology and libertarianism, while others focused on moral conservatism and traditional values. Opposition to communism and “big government” was a common theme among conservatives, emphasizing faith in the free market. Young conservatives in the 1960s played a crucial role in reshaping the Republican Party, particularly during the 1964 presidential election, which was uncompetitive due to the popularity of Lyndon Johnson.
00:03:00
In this segment of the video, it discusses the 1964 election where Republican candidate Barry Goldwater lost to LBJ. Goldwater’s nomination marked a conservative victory, emphasizing a harder line in the Cold War and criticism of the liberal welfare state. His extreme stance on the Cold War harmed his candidacy, leading to Johnson painting him as an extremist. Goldwater carried only five states, mostly from the Deep South. The 1968 election saw riots and the nomination of Hubert Humphrey for the Democrats. Richard Nixon, with his patience, anti-communist stance, and California roots, won the presidency in 1968. Nixon appealed to the “silent majority” who opposed anti-war protests, free love, and perceived expansion of criminal rights by the Supreme Court.
00:06:00
In this segment of the video, the focus is on President Nixon’s policies and their impact on American society. Nixon’s strategy to attract white Democrats who favored segregation into the Republican party is highlighted. Despite winning only 43% of the vote, Nixon’s policies, including the continuation of liberal programs like the Clean Air Act and affirmative action, are discussed. The segment also touches on Nixon’s Supreme Court nominations and key decisions like Roe v. Wade that influenced American politics. Additionally, the rise of conservatism in response to perceived deteriorating family values, linked to factors like the sexual revolution and declining birthrates, is mentioned.
00:09:00
In this segment of the video, the focus is on the declining traditional values and the changing role of women in society. The passage of Title IX in 1972 and the defeat of the Equal Rights Amendment in 1974 are highlighted, showing opposition to increased opportunities for women. The video also discusses Nixon’s involvement in the Watergate scandal, where individuals from his campaign broke into McGovern’s office leading to his resignation. The importance of Nixon’s tapes and the Supreme Court ruling in U.S. v. Nixon are also emphasized in showing that the president is not above the law. Ultimately, Nixon’s downfall was due to the cover-up of the Watergate break-in.
00:12:00
In this segment of the video, it discusses the resignation of President Nixon due to abuse of power, not just obstruction of justice. The Mystery Document is revealed to be a quote by Barbara Jordan, an African American congresswoman, which surprises the host. The episode ends with reflections on conservatism in the 1970s, where scandals like Watergate revealed government abuses of power, leading to skepticism about the effectiveness of liberal government programs. This created a shift in conservative thinking towards limiting government intervention. The segment concludes with a call to support educational content on Subbable to keep it free for everyone.